Union Demands TV Station Yank “Dr. Evil” Lobbyist’s Ad Depicting Labor Chiefs As Mob Goons
A top union is demanding that an Arkansas TV station yank a new ad being run by the “Dr. Evil” of pro-business lobbyists that depicts workers as mobbed up goons to turn Senator Blanche Lincoln against the Employee Free Choice Act, labor’s top priority.
You really have to watch this spot. It’s paid for by the anti-EFCA group Employee Freedom Action Committee, which is headed by notorious lobbyist Rick Berman. He’s been called everything from “sleazy” to “Dr. Evil” by foes, and this ad won’t make him more popular:
In the spot, which also targets Senator Mark Pryor, an employee is asking his boss for a raise when mobbed-up, gold-chain-wearing union goons crash the meeting and threaten to strike if the employee doesn’t get lots of new benefits that even the employee protests he doesn’t want. The message: EFCA, by making it easier to unionize, will deprive workers of their rights and let union bosses set their agenda.
The Service Employees International Union sends over a letter they’ve sent to Arkansas’ KTHV-TV demanding that the station yank the ad, claiming a whole list of falsehoods.
What’s interesting here is that “Dr. Evil” Berman — a longtime pro-business lobbyist who is one of the leading foes of EFCA and many other labor-backed measures — is vying for the title of the labor movement’s Public Enemy Number One. So if the SEIU knocks his ad off the air in a state that’s home to Lincoln, a key centrist Dem who is being heavily lobbied by both sides, it’ll be a significant victory.
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“it’ll be a significant victory.”
Except that it’s already on the air, and you are showing it here so that it gets wider viewing than it otherwise might have. I’d say the intent has already been achieved. Very entertaining and about as insulting as The Sopranos.
uh, sbj, if it got knocked off the air, it would, you know, no longer be on the air. that would be a victory for labor.
Uh, Greg – the message is already out. Getting something kicked off the air would now only reinforce the “goon” stereotype.
sbj you make this place so much livelier.
sbj, seems like you don’t need much persuading to embrace the “goon” stereotype.
Ah, sbj, you make this place so much stupider.
@Greg – yes, I’m that typical conservative you all seem to know so well, you long haired tree hugging pacifist vegan.
@chris: Thanks! Wouldn’t you find it rather boring to visit if everyone only constantly agreed with you?
No need in arguing with a brick wall. Just a piece of advice.
You know what, I think the SEIU should consider putting up an ad targeting “Dr Evil”. They could basically call them out for playing games with a serious subject while people are out losing their jobs and their healthcare. The could try to get an actor from the Sopranos to do the ad and draw a contrast between a TV show and the struggles familes are going through in real life. I think its time for people like the SEIU to start targeting the opposition in ads much like competing politicians do. I think it would be very effective.
And a nickname like Dr Evil just makes him seem so much more likable.
That is a good idea, sg.
He could… go… ALL… THE… WAY!
I like the idea of running an opposing ad rather than kicking this one off-air. But I wouldn’t draw attention to the Dr. Evil ad; rather, run an ad depicting employers as goons trying to skimp on benefits and pay. In other words, try reality. wduane
Yea, an opposing ad, pointing out that Berman is actually paid huge sums by those employers who want to continue to skimp on wages and benefits. That it is that same management who is against any organization of labor because their slice of the $pie gets smaller as the worker’s gets larger, not any informed worker.
They did a great job of making the union reps look like real sleazos in this ad…but then, it takes one to know one.
I think this ad accurately depicts the corrupt influence of unions and their disregard for the worker. It’s all about power and money for the union officials. It’s not about what’s best for the worker. “Forced” choice is right…passage of the EFCA will only enable unions to intimidate and bully workers into joining against their will.
Unions came into existence because of greedy employers, so I guess they figure we don’t need them anymore. After all, employers have become, generous, fair-minded saints who are no longer concerned with making a profit…
Laurie, you are so wrong on all points. The US has about 7-12% of the workforce unionized. They are a threat to no one. They have been replaced by white collar serfs who sit in cubicals all day and call themselves managers. These folks get to work longer hours without compensation, take worthless stock options as part of their pay reward. I have friends who are working in Corporate America who have had their pay cut at the management level…the union folks have a contract that protects them from that. Every hour that they work, they are paid for. In 1970 the average CEO made 40Xs what the lowest paid worker made in the Company…today that figure is $1,763 to every dollar the lowest paid employee makes. No one is forced into joining a Union…I worked for and retired from AT&T and I never had anyone force me to join a Union; that is a sterotype that is hyped by anti-unionists.
Cigi,
It’s not a stereotype. In “closed shops” you are forced to join the union or you don’t get the job. If unions are such a benefit to the worker, why do they need to engage in this type of extortion snd bullying to attract members? In this ad, as in real life, unions dictate compensation without regard for what the individual worker wants. It’s all about making money for the union. It’s not about doing right by the worker.
Very good writing. I am glad your posting that. I hope you can accept my apology for my less good English Skills, I am from France and English is sort of new to me. I will bookmark your blog and keep reading.